Bobbin receptacle



Patented Jan. 2, 1940 PATENT OFFlCE' 1 BOBBIN RECEPTAGLE Morris Schnider,

Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 10, 1938, Serial No. 234,269

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a bobbin receptacle and has as its primary object the provision of an improved container for sewing machine bobbins of the character used by operators of sewing machines in garment factories and in tailoring and dressmaking establishments.

Another object is to provide a bobbin holder of the above character which is adapted to contain a plurality of bobbins arranged in independent relation to each other and in such fashion as to permit the ready removal and replacement of a selected bobbin and in which the bobbins are so arranged as to expose the peripheral portions thereof on which the thread is wound thereby facilitating the selection by an operator of a bobbin containing a thread of desired color.

Another object is to provide a bobbin container embodying a rack which is so formed as to accommodate a plurality or series of bobbins loosely seated on portions of the perimeters thereof, in which means are provided for collectively clamping the bobbin against movement in the rack to prevent turning of the bobbin and consequent unwinding of thread therefrom on subjecting the container to vibrations and especially during transportation of the container.

A further object is to provide a bobbin container embodying a housing fitted with a hinged closure adapted to be fastened in a closed position to seal bobbins in the container, and in which-means are provided in association with the cover for effecting a spring pressed clamping action on bobbins arranged edgewise in the container.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with such other objects and advantages as may subsequently' appear, the invention is carried into effect as illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

,Fig. 1 is a perspective View of one form of the 40 position;

Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal section of the container shown in Fig. 1 with the parts disposed in a closed position and illustrating the manner of clamping a plurality of bobbins therein;

Fig. 3 is a detail in cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 as seen in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a detail in cross section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 as seen in the direction indicated by the arrows with the cover in an open position;

Fig. 5 is a detail in section taken on the lin 55 of Fig. 2 as seen in the direction indicated 55' by 'thearrows with the cover in an :open position;

bobbin container with parts disposed in an open Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another form of the bobbin container with the parts disposed in a closed position and with portions broken away;

Fig. 7 is a plan View of the latch employed in the construction shown in Fig. 6 as seen in the direction of the arrow i of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is aview in cross section of the container shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a detail in section taken on the line 39 of Fig. 6; c

Fig. 10 is a view in longitudinal section of the container shown in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 11 is a perspective View illustrating the manner of mounting the bobbin container on a sewing machine and depicting the manner in which the structure shown in Figs. 6-10 inclusive may be removably housed within a container or housing afiixed to the sewing machine.

Referring to the drawings more specifically, reference now being had to the construction shown in Figs. 1-5 inclusive, A indicates generally a box-like housing embodying a bottom wall l5, front and back walls i6 and i! respectively, and end walls i8 and E9; the housing A also including a lid or cover Zll hinged at 2| to the upper margin of the back wall H to swing vertically and being adapted to be positioned with its outer margin overlying the front wall 16. The cover is adapted to be locked in its closed position and for which purpose is here shown as fitted with a keeper 22 adapted. to be engaged by a key controlled lock structure 23 on the front wall It.

In carrying out the present invention the housing A is fitted interiorly thereof with a bobbin receiving rack B embodying a series of parallel channels 24 of arcuate cross section ex-- tending longitudinally of the bottom wall [5 of the housing.

Each of the channels 24 is adapted to receive a plurality of bobbins C; the bobbins being arranged on edge face to face in a row extending lengthwise of the channels which latter are formed to conform to the lower portion of the bobbins so as to hold the latter against rolling.

Pivotally supported within the housing A is a bobbin engaging leaf D adapted to engage the upper peripheral portions of the bobbins C to collectively hold the latter against displacement in the rack B when the cover 20 is closed; the leaf D being here shown as connected at one end thereof by pivot pins 25 to upturned ends 26 of a plate spring 21 carried by the end wall I8 whichv plate spring 21 affords a yieldable pivotal support for the leaf D on which the latter may be swung vertically.

Carried on the outer end of the leaf and projecting upwardly from the upper outer face thereof is a depressible button 28 having. a reciprocal shank 29 against the inner end of which bears a spring 30 adapted to be compressed on depression of the button 28 which latter is adapted to be engaged and depressed by the cover 28 on moving the latter to its closed positions. The under side of the leaf D is formed with channels M of arouate cross section conformable to the upper portions of the bobbins and in which the latter seat when the leaf is in its closed position.

The bottom wall of the housing A is fitted with openings 32 and 33 for the reception of screws or similar fastenings whereby the housing may be attached to a suitable support.

In the operation of the form of the invention just described a series of bobbins C are arranged in the rack B with the lower portions of the bobbins seating in the channels 24 and with the bobbins in each channel arranged side by side or end to end as illustrated in Fig. 2; the bobbins being thus loosely supported in the rack in an upright position to facilitate selection of a particular bobbin and in a fashion permitting of their being separately and independently removed and replaced. When it is desired to close the bobbins within the housing A the leaf D is swung on its pivot 25 to overlie the bobbins C as particularly shown in Fig. 2 with the channels 3| on the under side of the leaf receiving and conforming to the upper peripheral portions of the bobbins. On closing the lid 2!) and clasping it in a closed position the button 28 will be engaged and depressed in opposition to the spring 30 which with the spring mounting of the hinge pivots 25 will cause the leaf D to bear collectively on the series of bobbins therebeneath under a yieldable pressure whereby the bobbins will be securely held in an upright position against displacement in the rack B either while carrying the housing A or under vibration thereof while fastened to a support, and whereby on opening the lid 20 and lifting the leaf D the bobbins will be exposed in the position in which they were disposed on initially enclosing them in the housing. The spring-pressed member 28 is shown carried by the leaf D, but it could be carried by the lid 20 without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 6-11 inclusive, E indicates a housing having a bottom wall 35, side walls 36 and 3'! and end walls 38 and 39. A leaf 48 is arranged to overlie the housing E one end of which is fitted on its under side with a plate spring 4! having upturned end portions 42 engaged by pivot pins 43 on upstanding ears 44 formed on the end wall 38; the pins 43 and spring 49 forming a yieldable hinged mounting for the leaf 40 and on which the latter is hinged to swing vertically. The bottom wall 35 is formed with a series of parallel longitudinal extending channels 45 adapted to receive a series of bobbins F arranged in anupright position and edge to edge as particularly shown in Fig. 10. The leaf 4!) is formed with parallel channels 45 arranged to receive and engage the upper portions of the bobbins F seated in the channels 45.

Means are provided for clamping the leaf 40 against the bobbins F under spring pressure which is here shown as embodying a stem 41 mounted for longitudinal and turnable movement on the. end wall 31; the stem 41 extending into a recess 49 in the end wall 31 and beingfitted with an end flange 49 between which and a shoulder 50 is arranged an expansion spring 5| which exerts an inward thrust on the stem 4'1. An elongated head 52 on the upper outer end of the stem 41 is movable in and out of engagement with the free end of the leaf 40 and is adapted when engaged with the leaf, as shown in Fig. 10, to impose inward pressure on the latter under the urge of the spring 5| and thus cooperate with the spring 4| to clamp the bobbins F against displacement in the channel 45 during transportation of the housing.

The housing E is adapted to be positioned within a housing G similar to the housing A previously described, which housing G may be attached to the shelf H of a sewing machine, as shown in Fig. 11. The housing G is provided with a cover 53 adapted to be fastened in a closed position by a key controlled lock 54. The mode of operation of the form of the invention just described is apparent from the foregoing.

An important feature of the invention resides in the fact that by arranging and holding the bobbins on edge in the container they are not only subject to being easily and quickly selected and removed and replaced, but when clamped in the container are held against turning so as to prevent unwinding of thread therefrom, thereby effecting a great saving in thread since it is customary for an operator to break off and discard any unwound length of thread on a bobbin he is about to place in a machine. The invention thus enables economy in thread and a saving in labor as well as affording a convenient means of conveying and housing the bobbins when not in use.

While I have sh'ownand described specific embodiments of my invention I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction set forth, and the invention embraces such changes, modifications andequivalents of the parts and their formation andarrangement'as come within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a bobbin receptacle, a housing, means in said housing for supporting a plurality of bobbins in an upright position, a leaf pivotally carried by said housing, bobbin engaging means on said-leaf, and a lid hinged to said housing for clamping said leaf against bobbins contained in said housing, there being a spring-pressed member positioned between said leaf and lid to impart a yielding pressure to said leaf.

2. In a bobbin receptacle; a housing,- means in said housing for-supporting a plurality of bobbins in an upright position, a leaf pivotally carried by said housing, bobbin engaging means on said leaf and a hinged lid on said housing adapted to overlie said leaf and arranged to clamp said leaf against bobbins contained in said housing when in its closed position.

3. In a bobbin receptacle, a housing having a bottom wall fitted with a series of bobbin receiving channels formed to support bobbins on edge therein, a leaf adapted to be positioned to extend over bobbins in said channels having channels on its under side arranged to receive the upper portions of bobbins in said first named channels, and a lid hinged to said housing for holding said leaf against bobbins in said channels, said leaf carrying an upwardly directed spring-pressed part engageable by said lid to cause said leaf to impose a yielding pressure on the bobbins when said lid is closed.

4. In-a bobbin receptacle, a housing having a bottom Wall fitted witha series ofbobbin receiving channels formed to support bobbins on edge therein, a leaf adapted to be positioned to extend over bobbins in said channels having channels on its under side arranged to receive the upper portions of bobbins in said first named channels, and a lid hinged to said housing for holding said leaf against bobbins in said channels, said leaf carrying a spring and a button pressed upwardly thereby and engageable by said lid for imposing spring pressure on the bobbins.

5. In a bobbin receptacle, a housing, a bobbin supporting rack in said housing adapted to support bobbins on edge, a leaf adapted to extend over and to seat on bobbins in said rack, resilient 15 hinge connections between said leaf and said housing, and a lid hinged to said housing for clamping said leaf against bobbins in said rack to hold the bobbins against displacement, there being a spring member positioned between the free end portion of said leaf and the overlying portion of said lid when'the latter is closed to cause a yielding pressure of said leaf upon the bobbins when said leaf and lid are in their closed positions.

6. The subject matter of claim 5 and, said spring member consisting of a spring carried by said leaf and a button pressed upwardly by said spring.

MORRIS SCI-INIDER. 

